It was in the distant year of 1999, punk rock was still in excellent health, and I was one greenhorn 15 year old who began to love music. I remember like it was today when a friend of mine, a few years older than me , lent me Short Music For Short People, telling me that if I really was interested in punk rock , in this compilation I found the answer and probably many interesting bands. Indeed he was right: there were 101 bands with songs of 30 seconds each, and at least half of those band are still among my favorites. But why this unnecessary introduction?

Well, because I ‘d like to think that Jimmy Vapid has made these songs inspired a little bit by this compilation, since he was able to put 28 tracks (14 per side ) in a 7”… and I even not snort about the idea of having to get up from the couch to change sides, so as far as I’m concerned … he scored a goal.

To make it more tasty, Jimmy has used a totally DIY approach, recording in the barn of his home, with a drums of 70$ (with a broken cymbal!), microphones from peanuts (probably those of the games for children) and 5-10 Watt amps . All too interesting to pass unnoticed , so that Carlo has put his hands above, and here we come full circle with the publication under the Surfin’ Ki Records. The album was released in the beginning of 2013, but i was able to listen to him just a few weeks ago … I think however it’s worth it because probably many still are not managed to do so.

But how are the songs? As you can imagine them there. They sound like super essential songs, played fast and dirty as if they were the very first demos of the Ramonesbut with the style of the last Vapids ( The Point Remains The Same, for instance). Do not have time to have a song in your head, that already there’s a new one, and this thing a little upsets me.. and pushes me to listen once again. And again another time. And again. And again. A bit because I want to understand the songs, a bit to remember some mini verse, and a little because I really like them. And then if he put a cover of Daniel Johnston, how can I not like him?

My advice is to buy the 7”, the Surfin’ Ki Store has great prices and special deal packs to grab also the other works of Jimmy Vapid.